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Home Gym Time!

Comments

  • #2
    mardybumbum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,939 ✭✭✭mardybumbum


    Heya.
    The york benches are ok I guess (that one with the lat pull down is quite cheap). And I suppose if this is a new years resolution you may not want to invest in a more expensive bench right away! :pac:
    But please god stay away from those vinyl weights. They are useless.
    You would be much better off to stick with the cast iron weights that argos sell.


  • #3
    GoneShootin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,478 ✭✭✭GoneShootin


    mardybumbum wrote: »
    But please god stay away from those vinyl weights. They are useless.
    You would be much better off to stick with the cast iron weights that argos sell.

    What would be the reason for staying away from the vinyl?


  • #4
    gnolan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭gnolan


    This will probably piss you off, cos i know it would piss me off; but i wouldn't get any of those that you linked above.

    Those vinyl weights are shiite, they are much lighter than cast iron relative to their volume, basically less dense. And from my experience the weights are not consistent. You will find that you will very quickly outgrow 50kg of weights, so you'd be better off getting a 140kg olympic set.

    As for the lat pull down machine, save yourself some money and get a chin/pull-up bar, more functional and versatile imo.

    Many on this site will drill into you to squat, bench and deadlift. Which would mean squat rack and a bench. But if you wanted to risk it, you can raise the arms on the bench up fairly high, maybe high enough to unrack off your back, but i wouldn't recommend it.


  • #5
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,513 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Agree 100% with gnolan. If you have <300 quid to spend, a 140 kg Olympic barbell set would be a better bet than a "cheap" bench + weights from Argos. With the Olympic bar you won't be able to bench press but you'll be able to deadlift, clean and press, curl etc. Add a few small cheap items like a chinup bar, ab wheel, kettlebell etc. and you'd have a pretty decent home gym.

    Re: vinyl weights, as already stated they are crap. Fragile, bulky and the bars that come with them are hollow and crap. The cast iron regular weights from Argos are much better. Olympic weights are better still. A good place to buy home gym equipment is
    http://www.irish-lifting.com/


  • #6
    mardybumbum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,939 ✭✭✭mardybumbum


    GoneShootin wrote: »
    What would be the reason for staying away from the vinyl?

    Well I can only fit five on each end of my barbell and that probably only adds up to around 40kg. They are too bulky and light basically. I've thrown them out now and just use the cast iron weights.

    As the gnolan mentioned, a pull up bar is a good idea. I think I bought mine for a tenner from argos.


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  • #7
    GoneShootin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,478 ✭✭✭GoneShootin


    gnolan wrote: »
    This will probably piss you off, cos i know it would piss me off; but i wouldn't get any of those that you linked above.

    Damn you and your voice of wisdom. Can't you see I want the quick cheap and easy solution that looks like it will do all that I want it to do even by not using it!

    Really what I'm trying to do is the firm the following areas in order of "i have too much of"

    1) Arse
    2) Thighs
    3) Belly

    Whoda guessed right? I dont really want/need to go crazy on the upper body, hence my lack of enthusiasm for going all out on the Olympic set.

    I do miss the gym and the buzz from accomplishment - so if I could replicate that at home I'd be happy.


  • #8
    dave13
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭dave13


    I want to do the same thing, mainly because there's only one squat rack in my gym and most of the time there's 6 lads around it.

    I live in an apartment so a bit tight on space so I want to get stuff that can be out away.
    I was thinking of an olympic weights set and the following squat stands
    http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3356359/Trail/searchtext%3ESQUAT+STANDS.htm
    Anyone any experience with these? They look ideal as they can be out away.
    If anyone can recommend a decent fold up bench that would be great too?


  • #9
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    Personally, I would just re-join the gym. At least when you're there you can't nip off to check your e-mail or do some hoovering!


  • #10
    gnolan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭gnolan


    GoneShootin wrote: »
    Really what I'm trying to do is the firm the following areas in order of "i have too much of"

    1) Arse
    2) Thighs
    3) Belly

    Its difficult to know without seeing you, but i'm guessing what the problem is is that you're overweight; but if you're looking to "firm" those parts you're going to have to lose some weight - and do some cardio, whether its cycling to work, running at night, but definitely something to supplement the weights.

    If you've got a big belly and do 500 crunches a day, it'll make you stronger but you'll still have a big belly. The way to do it is cardio, diet, and weights. Those are probably in order of importance for you, maybe switch diet and cardio.


  • #11
    Pace2008
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,587 ✭✭✭Pace2008


    mardybumbum wrote: »

    As the gnolan mentioned, a pull up bar is a good idea. I think I bought mine for a tenner from argos.
    Those pull-up bars are a bit dodgy in my opinion. Once they're installed you can't close the door unless you remove the bracket, which is a bit time consuming. There's also the risk of the door frame splintering if the wood isn't strong. If you have the space you can get relatively cheap stand alone pull-up/tricep dip stations.


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  • #12
    Edwardius
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,234 ✭✭✭Edwardius


    Pace2008 wrote: »
    Those pull-up bars are a bit dodgy in my opinion. Once they're installed you can't close the door unless you remove the bracket, which is a bit time consuming. There's also the risk of the door frame splintering if the wood isn't strong. If you have the space you can get relatively cheap stand alone pull-up/tricep dip stations.

    Depends on your doorframe, mine closes fine with the argos bar. I've had no sign of any trouble with an extra 30kg hangin off. It's been in place for over a year. They might be a bit slippery but that's probably more of an advantage as you get extra grip work. If that's a problem you can cover it with duct tape. Throw in some rings and you have yer pullup and dip station sorted.


  • #13
    mardybumbum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,939 ✭✭✭mardybumbum


    Pace2008 wrote: »
    Those pull-up bars are a bit dodgy in my opinion. Once they're installed you can't close the door unless you remove the bracket, which is a bit time consuming. There's also the risk of the door frame splintering if the wood isn't strong. If you have the space you can get relatively cheap stand alone pull-up/tricep dip stations.

    Ive had no problems with it so far. Infact, I know somebody who hasnt even screwed his in. He just tightens it a lot, and hes a lot heavier than me.
    The only problem I have with it is when I come back from a night on the sauce, lights are off, I forget the bar is there, and smack my head right off it!:mad:


  • #14
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Ares wrote: »
    I live in an apartment so a bit tight on space so I want to get stuff that can be out away.
    I was thinking of an olympic weights set and the following squat stands
    http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3356359/Trail/searchtext%3ESQUAT+STANDS.htm
    Its argos, so you can bring them back within 30days for a cash refund. The oly set might be big in your apartment, the bars are long 7ft, though I know Mickk does shorter olybars and might swap one in the standard set if you asked nice!

    I have a 6ft standard bar in my room and it is a bit long for my liking. Also with the extra length you have that wider length going onto the stands, i.e. they are wider apart and might be more unstable. i.e. the longer the bar then for a given angle it will be lower to the ground at one end.

    I have the argos chin bar and have had 130kg hang from it.


  • #15
    dave13
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭dave13


    Cheers for that rubadub. Was thinking the bar would be a bit long, but didn't see any short olympic bars.


  • #16
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,065 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    Pace2008 wrote: »
    Those pull-up bars are a bit dodgy in my opinion. Once they're installed you can't close the door unless you remove the bracket, which is a bit time consuming. There's also the risk of the door frame splintering if the wood isn't strong. If you have the space you can get relatively cheap stand alone pull-up/tricep dip stations.
    I have one of these pull up bars and I love it. It doesn't clamp or bracket anything. You just unfold the arms, open the door and rest it on top of the door frame. Once you've done your exercise, take it down, fold it up and Bob's your mother's brother.


  • #17
    brian ireland
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭brian ireland


    GoneShootin wrote: »
    So I it's xmas and after all the glutteny I want to invest in a "home gym" type of thing. I've spent plenty hours in the gym with various equipment over the year so I know how to use the stuff - but spending the money wisely is the catch.

    I was looking at either 1 of these 3

    http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3356438/c_1/1%7Ccat_10392135%7CHome+gym+equipment%7C10392265/Trail/searchtext%3EWEIGHT.htm
    http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3022683/c_1/1|cat_10392135|Home+gym+equipment|10392265/Trail/searchtext%3EWEIGHT.htm
    http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3026438/c_1/1|cat_10392135|Home+gym+equipment|10392265/Trail/searchtext%3EWEIGHT.htm

    With some weights for good measure:

    http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3028302/c_1/1|cat_10392135|Home+gym+equipment|10392265/Trail/searchtext%3EWEIGHT.htm

    Any experience with the 3 above?

    Take my advise. don't Buy a home gym!! you will use it for a few weeks and then it will be something you look at every now and then and think about using it again. But never will!! Had two home gyms in my lifetime, never worked.. We bought one between us last year 3 mates. We left Total Fitness and with three months later we all joined Northwood. It seems like a good idea but they seldom work out..


  • #18
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,065 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    brian ireland wrote: »
    Take my advise. don't Buy a home gym!! you will use it for a few weeks and then it will be something you look at every now and then and think about using it again. But never will!! Had two home gyms in my lifetime, never worked.. We bought one between us last year 3 mates. We left Total Fitness and with three months later we all joined Northwood. It seems like a good idea but they seldom work out..
    Home gym setups aren't for everyone but I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand for the OP. I've had a bench and weights at home since October '07 and I would highly recommend it to anyone that's considering it. Think about it: you don't have to deal with other people and their BO, you don't have to queue for machines or equipment, you can listen to whatever music you want, there's no monthly fees (you pay once and that's it) and it's right there whenever you want to train.

    Out of curiousity, what stopped you from using your home gym once you had it?


  • #19
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    AARRRGH wrote: »
    Personally, I would just re-join the gym. At least when you're there you can't nip off to check your e-mail or do some hoovering!
    Conversely when you are bored at home you can nip off and do a few sets of pullups or whatever. I also cycle to work, so there is no way out of that, rain, sleet or snow I cycle.
    brian ireland wrote: »
    Take my advise. don't Buy a home gym!! you will use it for a few weeks and then it will be something you look at every now and then and think about using it again. But never will!! Had two home gyms in my lifetime, never worked.. We bought one between us last year 3 mates
    I imagine you had to travel to use it still? I would advise against cheapo benches, but there is no harm having some cast iron plates and a chinup bar. A gym would not suit some people, this is true for me. I prefer to be at home, my training is haphazard and rarely more than 10mins at a time nowadays. There is a cheap bench in my house I do not use. I much prefer bodyweight exercise, so could get by with just my gym rings and a few plates for weighted work. I used to train more when I was fatter, but now I am really just maintaining, and getting a little stronger along the way, without much effort TBH.


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